Give your people what they want.
Not someone else’s people.
Your people.
Give them what they want.
Then they’ll tell more people.
And suddenly someone else’s people are your people.
Then you can give them what they want.
Because now they’re your people.
And now you can start at the top (with, of course, more people).
The “how do we make money” mindset does not work.
The “how do we fix our people’s problems and make their dreams come true” mindset does.
Use it.
There’s a point where you’ll think a 3rd beer or 3rd coffee or 3rd plate of food is what you need.
Water.
Water is probably what you need.
Plan your work. Work your plan.
So easy to get caught working without a plan. Or as bad, planning and never working.
[This aphorism came from legendary coach whose name I don’t recall. Credit to him.]
Regrouping and letting go and recalibrating takes guts.
But when the long term goal is clear, so is the need to accept short term losses.
You can talk about whatever you want.
But be sure to give them what they want.
Speak, write, and create for the smartest in the group.
But remember: Even the smartest people have little use for big words, complex sentences, and fancy features.
You spend a majority of your life in shoes or in bed.
Get yourself the best (of both) that you can.
Be careful with:
Unless you know the answer and antagonization is the goal, avoid them completely.
How do you build hype without setting unrealistic expectations?
Get excited.
Not for any of the details.
But for the opportunity to experience it all together.